
1900 




Qass i^i-LJ^^iiSL 

Book JllAl 



PRESENTED BV 






J bO 




CHAIRMEN OF STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 
L. A. Trowbridge. 
Watts DeGolyer. 



W. A. Douglass. 



Willis S. Herrick. 



Twenty Years. 



A sketch of the work of the State 
Executive Committee of Illinois Young 
Men's Christian Associations, from 1880 
to 1900. 



v/ STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 

ILLINOIS YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS. 
1900. 






p. 

Author. 
lOAp'OI 



TWENTY YEARS of organized work for the 
young men of tlie State has been done, under 
the leadership of Mr. I. E. Brown, by the 
State Executive Committee of Illinois Young 
Men's Christian Associations. 

The January (1900) meeting of the State Com- 
mittee decided to issue an account of this work. 
The Committee appointed for that purpose has 
prepared this book, which it invites all the friends 
of the Association movement and of young men 
to study. 

A more consistent and perhaps a stronger pre- 
sentation could have been made by one man, par- 
ticularly by THE one man who has been most active 
in all this. But the committee has planned to have 
most of the State Secretaries and several members 
of the Committee bear a hand. Some advantage of 
diversity of view and style may have resulted from 
this manner of composition, which also accounts for 
some personalities, and other impersonalities. Per- 
haps it may as well be said that the chapters on 
Beginnings, Secretaries and Endowment were 
neither written nor " inspired " by State Secretaries. 

The chapter on Plndowment was prepared by 
Dr. John M. Coulter of the University of Chicago. 

It is a great and a blessed work in which we 
are all permitted to share. Let us make it greater 
and more blessed, in so far as we can, for the next 
twenty years. 

Franklin W. Ganse, 
L. Wilbur Messer. 



BEGINNINGS. 

T^HE Young Men's Christian Association move- 
^ ment was born in London in 1844. In 185 1 it 
crossed the Atlantic and the Boston and Mont- 
real Associations were started. In 1858 the work 
began in Illinois by the organization of the Chicago 
Association. 

A few words are needed to connect these 
beginnings with the organized work for the whole 
state of Illinois which may properly be said to have 
commenced in 1880. 

The Association movement has been more suc- 
cessful in America than in the land of its birth, so 
that the " American type of work " which is the same 
as the " Illinois type," is its highest achievement. 
Three characteristic principles account largely for 
this success of the movement here. 

I. It convened. In 1854 the American Asso- 
ciations met in the first of those international con- 
ventions which to this day establish harmony of 
principles and of methods all over the continent. 

2 These conventions secured supervision and 
guidance for the new Associations which were 
rapidly springing up. This supervision, the need of 
which might not occur to a superficial observer, is 
vital to the movement; in proportion to its wisdom 
and closeness is the success of the work in the terri- 
tory supervised. International supervision was loose 
until after the civil war, and consequently the work 
of the Associations was diverse and indefinite. 



During that war most of the energy of the members 
went into the work of the Christian Commission. 

3. Having come together and established at 
least a measure of harmony and of supervision, the 
third characteristic principle was soon adopted — 
that of special work by young men for young men. 
1866 is a historic year in the Association move- 
ment in America, because at the Albany international 
convention of that year it was decided to strengthen 
the International Committee, to give it a fixed 
location, and to instruct its corresponding members 
to call the first State Conventions in their respective 

states. The idea 
of specialized work 
for the salvation of 
young men, and of 
those distinctive 
forms of activity 
which have proved 
so popular and 
effective, was also 
a prominent fea- 
ture of the Albany 
convention. 

These principles 
traveled slowly on 
their trip to Illi- 
nois. They began 
to reach us when Robert Weidensall, Secretary of 
the International Committee, made his first brief 
visits in 1869 and 1870. In 1873 he called the first 
State Convention. There was no corresponding 




Robert Weidensall. 



10 



member of the International Committee to do it. 
It met at Bloomington, November 6-9, 1873, when 
fourteen Associations were represented by seventy- 
five delegates. In 1875 another State Convention, 
worked up by Mr. Weidensall, was held at Jackson- 
ville, when a State Executive Committee was 
appointed, with John V. Farwell as Chairman, a 
position he occupied for the next three years, as he 
had already for one year. This convention and the 
one held at Springfield in 1876, acting under Mr. 
Weidensall's advice tried to secure Mr. Charles M. 
Morton as State Secretary and finally succeeded. 
The Illinois Asso- 
ciations, under Mr. 
Weidensall's wise 
nursingh ad learned 
to come together 
in harmony, and 
had seen the wis- 
dom of definite 
supervision clearly 
enough to estab- 
lish their State 
Executive Com- 
mittee, and to em- 
ploy a State Sec- 
retary. 

But as yet there was almost no distinctive, all 
around work, devoted to the modern purposes of a 
Young Men's Christian Association. Many of the 
organizations were mere rallying places for the 
Christian young men and women of the community. 




Charles M. Morton. 



for promoting evangelistic meetings. In this they 
gained great success and did much good. The idea 
of a special work for the salvation and strengthening 
of YOUNG MEN in soul, brain and body, which may be 
said to have well begun in the East by the erection 
of the New York building in 1869, had not yet 
arrived here, and Mr. Morton was selected for his 
abilities as an evangelist, which he well proved 
throughout the length and breadth of the State up to 
the time, in the fall of 1877, when he resigned the 
secretaryship to enter the evangelistic field. 

By the time of the 1879 convention at Decatur, 
the Associations of the State and their State Execu- 
tive Committee were thoroughly converted to the 
modern Association idea. They wanted the state 
work to be established and supervised in harmony 
with that id^a. Plans were formed at that conven- 
tion for the selection and support of a State Secre- 
tary who could see to the execution of this great 
task. It required a man consecrated to the salvation 
of his fellow men throughout the great common- 
wealth, in sympathy with a special work which had 
not entirely proved its right to continue, able to 
guide that special work as it should grow and con- 
ditions should change, competent to influence men 
of means and of character to lend their strength to 
the institution, successful in raising the money to 
keep the work moving, and ever ready to counsel 
and guide the different Associations in their difficul- 
ties. In short, the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion movement in Illinois in 1880 needed the man 



who could develop the work which is described in 
this little book. 

This man was in Decatur. He was a prominent 
member of the convention which was searching for 
him. His name was I. E. Brown. Mr. Weidensall 
crowned his preliminary work by pointing out Mr. 
Brown as the right man for State Secretary and by 
inducing him to accept the position. Mr. Brown 
entered upon the duties of his office in June, 1880 
and has proved not only the right leader for Illinois, 
but one of the most influential among the men who, 
with God's blessing, have brought the Young Men s 
Christian Associations of America to their present 
standard of efficiency. 



13 



GROWTH, 



TN the spring of 1880, W. W. Vanarsdale, at that 
'^ time Secretary of the State Executive Com- 
mittee, put into the hands of the new State Sec- 
retary a list of the Associations known to exist in 
Illinois. Tearing off a piece of manila paper from 
a sheet on his desk, he wrote with his stylographic 
pen sixteen names. This was the 
beginning of the State list of Asso- 
ciations. Investigation showed 
that one of the sixteen Associa- 
tions had never been organized, 
that a second was not properly a 
Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, and that a third was near 
dissolution. 

Those of the sixteen Associa- 
tions reporting to the Convention 
of 1880 showed a membership of 
2,393. Buildings were owned and 
occupied by the Associations in Chicago and Aurora, 
and a small chapel about to be sold was also held 
by the Association at Mason City which was plan- 
ing to give up its work. The total value of real 
estate reported was $122,500, of which $110,000 was 
in Chicago and $12,500 outside. On the latter, 
however, there was an indebtedness of $2,950, leav- 
ing the total real estate outside Chicago with a net 
value of $9. 5 50. 

Today the total number ot Associations is 115, 

14 




Aurora. 



exclusive of six organized bands. The reported 
membership in October, 1899, ^^^ 17,121. 

Twenty-two buildings are now occupied by the 
Associations, the total value of which is reported as 
;^2,574,oo5, on which there is an indebtedness of 
^875,730, leaving the net property in buildings 
^1,698,275. To this, however, must be added other 
property reported, amounting to ^143,000, making 
the net property of the Associations in Illinois, 
exclusive of the furnishings of rooms and buildings, 
$1,841,275, as contrasted with net property twenty 
years ago of $119,550. 

This property statement is perhaps emphasized 
when we recall the fact that outside our great metro- 
politan city of Chicago, the net property has grown 
from $9,550 in 1880 to $474,170 in 1900. 

In 1880, thirteen men were employed by the 
Associations, nine of these being in Chicago and 
four outside. 

So far as could be discovered, in 1880, the only 
records were the minutes of the preceding seven 
conventions, two of these being in manuscript and 
five printed in pamphlet form. There were no sys- 
tematic records of the local Associations, no official 
list even, no recorded minutes of meetings of State 
Executive Committee, no lists of contributors, no 
records of visitation, no plan for systematic reports. 
Today in the central office all these are supplied, 
together with all other records which the experience 
of years have shown to be of real value. 

Not only has there been development along the 
lines already indicated, but new lines of work have 

15 




been opened up in Illinois as indicated in another 
chapter of this book. The Corresponding Member- 
ship has been inaugurated, has grown to large pro- 
portions, and has proved its use- 
fulness. The secretarial organi- 
zation has been brought to an 
efficient working basis. The 
Association has been introduced 
into the State Reformatory and 
has begun a work among the 
miners. The enlistment of col- 
jACKSONviLLE. lege men in deputation work has 

been inaugurated. 

In the internal development of the Associations 
marked progress has been made. Twenty years ago 
the physical work was represented by one small 
gymnasium in the city of Chicago. The latest report 
shows 38 of these "halls of health," a number of 
them being in permanent Association buildings and 
splendidly equipped. 

The educational work, of which there was but 
an embryo in 1880, represented by five educational 
classes reported, has made rapid progress, especially 
within the last two or three years. Two years ago, 
five Associations reported to the International Com- 
mittee that they conducted evening class work. In 
1900 this number had increased to 14, conducting 
112 classes. Five of these Associations— four of 
which were in cities of less than 40,000 population — 
took part in the International examinations and 
secured International certificates. 

16 



In the encouragement of Bible study good pro- 
gress has been made. In the Student Associations 
over 1,200 men were enrolled in voluntary Bible 
classes during the last school year. In the Railroad 
and City Associations 836 different men were en- 
rolled in similar classes, a gain of 50 per cent, over 
the preceding year. The Town Associations are 
also making progress in this line, 80 men being en- 
rolled in Iroquois County alone. 

The full significance of the present work and of 
the growth of the twenty years can scarcely be 
realized without a vivid understanding of the chaotic 
condition of the Associations in this State twenty 
years ago. With differing local plans of work, with 
indefiniteness of aim, with poor material facilities, 
with little to bind the organizations together, there 
was little to suggest the compact organization of 
today. Perhaps in nothing was this more marked 
than in the lack of definite aim to reach young men 
and to cultivate the entire man, body, soul and spirit. 
This is indicated in the fact that the Associations of 
the State reported but five religious gatherings per 
week for young men only. That this direct religious 
work for a definite class has grown from five gather- 
ings per week to 258 per week indicates that the 
Association has held fast to the central purpose of 
the organization. 

Perhaps no change has been more striking than 
the general sentiment regarding the Association 
work in the minds of the ministry and of the churches 
generally. Possibly no state today has wider Asso- 
ciation information or a broader sympathy with the 

17 



Association movement than Illinois. With organized 
work — either Association or Band — at 121 points, 
with our Corresponding Membership reaching 737 
additional communities, with our financial constit- 
uency extending into more than 800 towns, with our 
literature as widely diffused as our constituency, the 
Illinois work is built upon a broad basis of intel- 
ligence regarding its aims, methods and results. 

Some lines of growth of the past twenty years 
are indicated in the accompanying table which in 
graphic form shows something of the progress of 
this period. 



18 



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19 




DEPARTMENTS. 

HTHE existing plan of Departmental organization 
in Illinois is the result of fourteen years of 
growth. It dates its beginning at the call of 
W. F. Levings to the position of Office Secretary, 
April 17, 1886. At the present time it includes five 
departments, each with its secre- 
tary in charge, and with a clearly 
defined field of effort. 

Of these five departments, 
three, the Railroad and City, the 
Student, and the County and 
Town, are known as the field 
departments, each having in 
Springfield. direct charge of its work a Sub- 

Committee of the State Executive Committee, made 
up, in each case, of representative men from Asso- 
ciations in the department. The Secretary in charge 
of the Correspondence Department reports directly 
to the State Executive Committee. The State Sec- 
retary and Assistant State Secretary are most closely 
identified with the department of General Adminis- 
tration. They report directly to the State Executive 
Committee, but in their work co-operate with the 
different regular and special Sub-Committees. 

The Railroad and City Department. — In- 
cluded in this department are the six Railroad and 
twenty- nine City Associations of Illinois outside of 
Chicago, together with the work for the boys of the 



20 



Illinois State Reformatory at Pontiac and the Miner's 
Association at Carbon Hill. 

The attention of the department Sub-Committee 
and Secretary are given chiefly (a) To counsel and 
co-operation with the Associations of the department 
in their business interests, and in the formation and 
development of their general polices of work, (b) 
To the recommendation of General Secretaries to 
Boards of Directors, as such recommendations are 
needed, (c) To the reorganization, in emergencies, 
of the entire work and policies of particular Asso- 
ciations. 

It also includes the study of the field at such 
railroad centers or cities of the state as may desire 
Association work, the recommendation of plans and 
policies for the inauguration of such work, and the 
supervision of its establishment. 

Student Department. The Student Depart- 
ment includes the Associations of the State which 
are organized in institutions of higher learning. 

Of the 52 Associations now enrolled in the 
department, five are in State Universities; 19 are in 
professional schools of Chicago; 17 are in additional 
universities and colleges; 6 are in preparatory 
schools; 3 in normal and scientific schools; 2 are in 
schools of technology and manual training schools 

It is the effort of the department Sub-Com- 
mittee and Secretary to so effectively organize and 
develop the organized Christian work in these insti- 
tutions of higher learning as to secure for the Chris- 
tian organization its rightful place and power in the 
student life and to enable it to make to the life both 

21 




JOLIET. 



of the individual student and of the student body 
the largest and most helpful contribution possible. 
County and Town Department. The work of 
this department is two-fold. There are many com- 
munities in the State where it is impracticable to 
organize an Association employing a General Sec- 
retary, yet in many of these communities there are 

groups of young men 
desiring to unite 
their efforts in behalf 
of their fellow young 
men. There are at 
present i6 Associa- 
tions and 6 Associa- 
tion Bands in the 
Department. 
It is the effort of the department to so co- 
operate, counsel with, and guide the efforts of such 
groups of young men as to secure the best possible 
results in the work they may undertake. 

It is the further effort of the department to 
organize work for young men in a selected number 
of counties of the State, the work in each county 
being in charge of a County Committee and County 
Secretary, whose duty it shall be to promote work 
for young men in the towns, villages and country 
places of the county. 

Correspondence Department. In 737 com- 
munities of the state where there is no definitely 
organized Christian work for men the State Com- 
mittee has appointed Corresponding Members. It 
is the duty of each Corresponding Member to notify 



the Secretary in charge of this department of the 
names and addresses of young men leaving the com- 
munity to make their permanent residence else- 
where. Upon receipt of such information, corres- 
pondence is at once begun with leaders of Christian 
work in the community to which the young man 
goes, and effort is made to give to him at once 
Christian acquaintances and friends. 

General Administration. Within the field of 
the department of General Administration are 
included, (a) The supervision of the educational and 
religious work of the Railroad and City Department, 
(b) The regular and special conventions, confer- 
ences and "Young Men's Sundays" held from, time 
to time, (c) The necessary book keeping, account- 
ing and general ofifice work connected with the 
administration of all departments, (d) The collec- 
tion, classification and issuing of Association statis- 
tics, reports, etc. (e) The preparation and publi- 
cation of printed matter of the Committee, (f) The 
supervision of Association building movements, 
(g) Advisory relations with the Chicago Association 
and its Railroad and City Departments. (h) 
Responsibility for the general business interests of 
the Committee, with close co-operation with the 
Department Sub-Committees and Secretaries in the 
business interests of the different Departments, (i) 
Close supervisory and unifying relations with all 
departments. 



23 



DISCOVERIES. 

TN view of the agricultural, industrial, commercial, 
and educational supremacy of the Prairie State, 
it is not to be wondered that Illinois should have 
made large and important contributions in men and 
ideas to the general cause of the work among young 
men throughout the country. It has been the 
privilege of our State to take the lead not only in 
many important details of administration, but also 
in founding and developing some permanent phases 
of the Association work. 

1. OFFICE AND SECRETARIAL ORGANIZATION. 

Every well organized enterprise needs a well 
equipped office, with facilities for permanently 
recording the facts incidental to the organization 
and development of its work. The Illinois State 
Committee was the first one in the cou.ntry to give 
special attention to the equipment of adequate 
offices. Its suite of offices at 609 Association Build- 
ing is a place of constant consultation regarding all 
phases of the work. Its records are constantly in 
demand for different purposes. Here the entire 
time of an office secretary, a book-keeper and two 
stenographers is constantly occupied, while addi- 
tional help is frequently needed. 

With the various lines of work, each requiring 
peculiar skill and efficiency, the Committee early 
recognized that the principle of division of labor, 
applied to its work, would bring the best results. 




Accordingly the department plan of organization 
was established, with a skilled secretary in charge of 
each department and responsible for its develop- 
ment. But, in order that the 
different departments might 
work together with the fullest 
degree of harmony and with 
the work of the entire field 
constantly before each depart- 
ment, stated conferences of the 
different secretaries were inau- 
gurated, first quarterly and 
then, with the growth of the 
work, monthly. At these meet- 
ings the condition of the whole field comes in review, 
weak points are brought to light, and the combined 
experience of the whole force is brought to bear on 
problems of special difficulty and upon pressing 
emergencies. Special topics bearing on the internal 
development and on the extension of the work 
throughout the State are presented in carefully 
prepared papers and are thoroughly discussed. 



Chicago 

Pennsylvania Lines 

R. R. 



II. CORRESPONDENCE. 



Illinois was the first State to give particular 
attention to the young men in villages and country 
districts. As a starting point in bringing the young 
men in the rural communities into contact with the 
Association work, the office of Corresponding 
Member was created in 1886. The plan provided 
for the selection and appointment, in every village, 

25 



of one earnest Christian young man whose special 
duty it shall be to inform the State Committee of 
every young man who leaves his community to enter 
school or business in another locality. During the 
next five years, two hundred of the towns in the 
State were supplied with these Corresponding 
Members. In 1891, it was made one of the Depart- 
ments of the work, and a secretary placed in charge, 
giving a small portion of his time to the develop- 
ment of the plan. In 1897, on the recommendation 
of the secretary in charge, an important modification 
was made in the plan of the work, and a central 
bureau of correspondence was established at the 
State ofifice. This bureau has since been maintained, 
with much additional work, and has very greatly 
increased the efficiency of the plan of work. The 
letters regarding removals are registered at the state 
office, and correspondence is immediately opened 
with the Young Men's Christian Association or with 
pastors or other Christian workers, asking special 
attention to, and interest in the young m^n who has 
just arrived in their community. The letters fill a 
twofold purpose. First : They are a means of 
information; without ihem in most cases, the Chris- 
tian people would know nothing of a stranger within 
their gates. Second : They serve as a stimulus to 
earnest and thorough work in his behalf. Some 
pastors have driven miles out into the country to 
meet and invite to church the young man concerning 
whom word has been received from the Correspond- 
ing Member through the State Committee. 



26 



During the first year of the work on this plan, 
two hundred young men were followed by these 
letters; the second year, three hundred; and the 
third year, 575 young men leav- 
ing Illinois homes were fol- 
lowed by the letters of the cor- 
respondence bureau. They went 
to twenty-five different states 
and territories, and to three 
foreign countries. The letters 
on file at the ofifice show some- 
thing of the efforts put forth 
and of the real good accom- 
plished. None of these hundreds of young men 
who have been met by Christian people and invited 
to Association and church can ever say '* No man 
cared for my soul." 

To June i, 1900, the system was extended to 
737 towns. 

This plan of work has spread into many other 
states of the Union. 




Freeport. 



III. STATE REFORMATORY. 



On March 24, 1898, a very unusual request came 
to the State Committee. It was from the President 
of the Board of Managers of the Illinois State Re- 
formatory, calling attention to the 1,400 boys between 
the ages of ten and twenty-one, confined in the 
Institution, and requesting the organization of a 
Young Men's Christian Association among them. 
Later on the request was repeated. Seriously ques- 
tioning the possibility of any permanent Asso- 



27 



ciation among the boys, a secretary was assigned to 
investigate the conditions. After several visits, on 
October 30, 1898, a Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion was organized, with 16 of the Christian teachers 
as active members, and several hundred of the " first 
grade " boys as associate members. Devotional 
meetings, planned and conducted by the boys them- 
selves, have been held regularly ever since, with an 
attendance averaging more than 300, and at times 
reaching 600. That these meetings have been a 
source of inspiration and helpfulness to the boys, no 
one who has attended one of their Sunday morning 
meetings could question. In May 1899, the Asso- 
ciation Literary Society was formed and meetings 
have been held regularly since. These have also 
been of inestimable benefit to the boys. The volun- 
tary expressions of the officers of the Institution 
show conclusively the usefulness of this unique 
organization. Chaplain Boiler says, " Our boys, as 
well as the officers, give frequent testimony that 
nothing in the history of this Institution has to them 
ever availed for so much in lasting and substantial 
good as the influence of our Association. It has 
opened to them a new world of light and hope, and 
dispelled the darkness from the heart and life of many 
a one who came here disheartened and friendless." 

IV. THE KNOX COLLEGE BOYS. 

In 1889 there started in Knox College a move- 
ment to send out in the summer vacation a group 
of volunteers for evangelistic work among young 
men in some of the smaller places. A number of 



summers since have seen a similar band of students 
engaged in this work, Illinois College joining Knox 
for one or two summers. The leader of this move- 
ment was Geo. N. Taylor, who afterwards became 
one of the Assistant State Secretaries in Illinois. 
He went from that position to the general secretary- 
ship at Decatur, from which he was called to the 
general secretaryship of the old city of Mexico. 
While attending the General Secretaries' Conference 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1893 he was stricken down with 
fever resulting from overwork and died in that city 
May 26, 1893. 




#g^ 



The Knox College Boys. 

The illustration shows the original band. The 
first man on the reader's left, standing, is Matt Gon- 
terman who was in Knox Academy when the first 
band was formed. After finishing his course at 

29 



Knox he became a student at Harvard where he 
was a leader in athletics. He is now in charge of 
the physical work at Knox College. 

Ralph B. Larkin stands next to him. After 
completing his college and seminary course he 
became a missionary of the American Board at 
Mardin, Turkey. Returning to this country in 1898 
on account of the health of his wife, he became 
pastor of the Congregational church at Buena Vista, 
Colorado. 

Grove F. Ekins, standing at the right of the 
picture, was in '89 a student in the Academy. He 
completed the full course at Knox, after which he 
was engaged in the Association work at Sacramento 
and San Francisco, California. He is now General 
Secretary of the Association at Galesburg. 

The first man sitting, at the left of the picture, 
is J. Philip Read, who was the organist of the band. 
George Taylor, the founder of the band sits next to 
him, followed by Thad Stephens who had just been 
graduated in the class of '89. His work in the band 
led him into the Association secretaryship. After 
two years as General Secretary at Geneseo, 111., he 
spent three years as one of the Assistant State Secre- 
taries in Illinois; following which he was General 
Secretary at Kankakee, 111., and at Anderson, Ind. 
He is now a student in the Chicago Theological 
Seminary, and at the same time is serving as pastor 
of the Congregational church at Morton Park, 111. 

Sitting at the right of the group is L. Burt Crane 
who in 1889 was a Sophomore at Knox. Since com- 
pleting his college course and theological course at 

30 



Princeton he has served for several years as an 
instructor of the English Bible in Princeton, at the 
time being assistant pastor of one of the churches. 
He is now pastor of the Calvary Presbyterian church, 
Buffalo, N. Y. 

Besides those whose pictures are shown, three 
others spent some time with the band; Frank M. 
Lay, who is now engaged in business at Kewanee, 
111.; E. E. Working, now a dentist at Tiskilwa, 111.; 
and E. B. Gushing, who since completing his college 
course and his theological seminary course, has been 
a professor in Yankton College, S. D. 

These are some of the most interesting and 
important features of Association work which have 
been developed in Illinois under the direction of the 
State Executive Committee. Some of them have 
proved important contributions to the cause through- 
out the country, in addition to their primary success 
in helping to reach and save the young men of 
Illinois. 



31 



CHAIRMEN. 




Monmouth. 



IN the twenty years under consideration the State 
*^ Executive Committee has had but four chair- 
men. In 1 880 Mr. Watts DeGolyer of the Watts 
DeGolyer Varnish Co., Chicago, was chosen to that 
position. His interest was especially marked in the 
religious work of the Association. 

In 1882, Mr. W. A. 
Douglass, at that time 
Assistant Manager of 
R. G. Dun & Co., was 
chosen chairman of the 
Committee. This posi- 
tion he held until 1891. 
Mr. L. A. Trowbridge 
assumed the duties of 
chairman in that year. 
Mr Trowbridge brought to the Committee experience 
gained in a long term of service as a member of the 
Board of Directors of the Rockford Association. 
The position of chairman he held for four years. 

Mr. Douglass still remains a member of the 
Executive Committee and Mr. Trowbridge is a 
member of the Advisory Committee, both continuing 
their interest in the state work and being closely 
identified with it. 

In 1895, ^^^- Willis S. Herrick of the insurance 
firm of Lyman & Herrick became chairman of the 
Committee, and has continued in that position to 
the present time. He has given much of time and 

32 



effort to the work of the Committee and has put 
himself in touch with the Association work at large 
through attendance at International Conventions. 
His sound business judgment has always been avail 
able in the work of the Committee. 

The frontispiece of this volume shows the faces 
of the four men who have been at the head of this 
work during these years. 

CHAIRMEN. 

A. B. Wicker, 1873-1874. 
John V. Farwell, 1874-1878. 
R. D. Russell, 1878-1879. 
E. S. Albro, 1879-1880. 
Watts DeGolyer. 1880-1882. 
W. A. Douglass, 1882-1891. 
L. A. Trowbridge, 1891-1895. 
Willis S. Herrick, 1895-1900. 



33 



SECRETARIES. 

T^HE rapid evolution of the Young Men's Christian 
^ Association movement has developed a new 
profession. The large property interests, the 
improved type of men composing the managing 
boards and committees, an increasing and represen- 
tative membership and the important relationships 
with religious, educational, social and civic move- 
ments has demanded executive leaders of special 
training and ability. These salaried executive 
officers in 1871 were given the title of " General 
Secretary " at which time there were less than twenty 
such officers in the entire country. The present 
number, including Physical Directors and Educa- 
tional Directors and secretaries of supervisory and 
training agencies is 1,442, and most Associations 
even in towns of 3,000 population now employ a 
General Secretary. 

As the Directors of local Associations have found 
it necessary to secure a trained Association specialist 
in developing their work, still more have the State 
Committees required similar officers. The first State 
Secretary was engaged by the Pennsylvania State 
Committee in 1871. The requisite qualifications for 
this position are a manly Christian character, a cor- 
rect and intelligent conception of religious beliefs 
and relationships, social attractiveness, a broad 
general education, business ability, executive leader- 
ship, knowledge of tlie history and methods of the 
Association movement and the gift of acceptable 

34 




SECRETARIES EMPLOYED DURING THE TWENTY YEARS, 1880-1900. 
R. H. Shanks. E. T. Colton. G. N Taylor. B. R. Barber. 
S. F. WiSHARD. A. M. Bruner. J. V. Read. G. B. Smith. 

E E. Brown. I E. Brown. A. T. Stephens. 

F. H. Jacobs. E C. Anderson. L. A. Bowman. W. H. Gebhardt. 
F. H. Burt. A. G. Copeland. W. F. Levings. K. A. Shumaker. 




public speaking. The duties of the State Secretary 
will include office work, which implies a voluminous 
correspondence; extension, in investigating and 
organizing new fields; finance work in securing 
support for the State Committee and assisting Asso- 
ciations in current and building problems; securing 
and training secretaries for the 
local fields; arranging for state 
and district conventions; and the 
development of the State Execu- 
tive Committee in volunteer 
service in these departments of 
effort throughout the state. 

The rapid growth of City, 
RocKFORD. Student, Railroad, County and 

other departments of Association work has required 
special State Secretaries for these important fields. 
The State Executive Committee is a purely 
advisory agency created by and responsible to the 
local Associations. Without authority, this com- 
mittee seeks to unify, inspire, instruct, supervise and 
extend the Association movement throughout the 
state. 

It has been truly said that the Young Men's 
Christian Association is more comprehensive and 
broad in its membership than any other organization 
which can be suggested. Not only church members 
but young men of good moral character without 
regard to religious belief are invited to enjoy the 
advantages and privileges of the organization. Class 
barriers are unknown and the undisputed fact is 
evident to all familiar with the Association that 

37 



within it is found the capitalist, the clerk, the college 
student, the railroad official and his employe, the 
colored man, men of foreign races, the Indian, the 
clergyman, the manufacturer, the mechanic and 
representatives of every trade and calling, condition 
and class. The executive officer of a committee 
charged with the supervision and extension of a 
movement with such important functions and delicate 
relationships must possess a rare personality to 
accomplish his work. 

The chief executive of the State Committee of 
the Illinois Young Men's Christian Associations is 
Mr. Isaac E. Brown. For the entire period of 
twenty years covered by this historical statement 
this wise, able and honored man of God has devoted 
his life to the young manhood of this state. For 
these twenty years he has prayed, traveled and 
labored in promoting this work. The word ** govern- 
ments " in the scriptural classification of God's work- 
men literally should read — guiding the helm of 
affairs. This is the chief function of our State Sec- 
retary. Loyal to the evangelical basis, magnifying 
the study of God's word as suited to Association 
ideals, emphasizing the great fundamentals of the 
Christian life, in love with definite work by young 
men for young men, standing for symmetrical devel- 
opment of the Association as a physical, religious, 
educational and social agency, with rare tact and 
organizing power, Mr. Brown has ever sought to 
come up to the level of his best, making the most of 
his opportunities, thus acquiring the truest success. 

38 




Peoria. 



From the chaotic conditions of the Association 
movement as found at the beginning of his work 
when Association aims were vague and indefinite, 
methods crude and equipment primitive, with little 
financial support and few efficient helpers, the Illinois 
state work has developed to the strength and 
efficiency now so generally recog- 
nized throughout the country. To 
our veteran and pioneer Interna- 
tional Secretary, Robert Weiden- 
sall, we are indebted for the dis- 
covery of this man who was turned 
from the career of a professional 
teacher (in which calling he was 
successfully engaged) to the Asso- 
ciation movement. 

Mr. F. H. Burt began his work with the Com- 
mittee June 15, 1889, and closes his successful labors 
in this state in December 1900, to enter upon his 
duties as State Secretary of Missouri. Mr. Burt has 
proven himself a man of all around development, 
with marked administrative power and deep religious 
experience. He largely effected the organization of 
the College Department in the state, placing this 
work upon a strong and permanent basis, doubling 
the number of Associations and more than doubling 
their efficiency. In later years with equal success he 
has been associated directly with the work of general 
administration. 

Mr. A. M. Bruner entered the service of the 
Committee January i, 1887. His first work was in 



the Business Department, also devoting considerable 

39 



time to emergency work. His positive, forceful, 
untiring effort, with deep devotion to the Associa- 
tion cause, his absolute hopefulness in the face of 
discouragement have resulted in heroic work often 
amid discouraging financial conditions in the City 
and Railroad Associations 

Mr. L. A. Bowman was engaged as Office Sec- 
retary March 6, 1890, and still remains with the Com- 
mittee in this important position. His work has 
been characterized by absolute faithfulness in the 
development of approved business methods in office 
and correspondence work. A special feature in 
charge of Mr. Bowman is the Correspondence 
Department which has shown a marvelous increase. 

Mr. Karl A. Shumaker, a graduate of the Sec- 
retarial Institute and Training School, assumed 
charge of the work in small towns September i, 1899. 
This department also includes the County work 
which is having a successful development. 

The following additional persons have been 
identified with the State work in Illinois as Assistant 
State Secretaries : 

Mr. F. H. Jacobs, now an assistant pastor in 
Brooklyn, N. Y., for a short time assisted in general 
work. He was the first Assistant Secretary but held 
the office only two months. 

Mr. E. E. Brown, a brother of our State Secre- 
tary, served the Committee from September 15, 1884, 
to September 15. 1887, as a general assistant. His 
rare qualifications made him a valued helper in the 
formation and permanent development of state work 

40 




SECRETARIES OF THE COMMITTEE, JUNE, 1900. 



F. H. Burt. 
K A. Shumaker. 



E. T. COLTON. 

I. E. Brown. 

41 



A. M. Bruner. 
L. A. Bowman. 



in these earlier years. He suggested the correspond- 
ing membership, the observance of the " Young 
Men's Sunday," and the regular conference of State 
Secretaries. Mr. Brown is now professor of Peda- 
gogy at the University of California. 

Mr. W. F. Levings rendered most valuable service 
to the Committee from May 15, 1886 to September 
30, 1894 as Office Secretary. He created the office, 
and as a master of detail, with a devoted Christian 
life, intense enthusiasm and loyalty to Association 
service, became a most efficient and valued worker. 

Mr. S. F. Wishard, now engaged in evangelistic 
work in Minnesota, served the Committee in 1888 
and 1889 chiefly in promoting religious work among 
the Associations of the state. 

Mr. R. H. Shanks, now engaged in business in 
Winnipeg, Manitoba, was an Assistant Secretary for 
a short time in 1888. 

Mr. W. H. Gebhardt, now in business in Racine, 
Wis., was engaged in the Office Department from 
February 15, 1889 to March 4, 1890. 

Mr. Geo. N. Taylor who entered the service of 
the Committee September 5, 1889, came to the atten- 
tion of the State Committee through his ability in 
organizing the Knox College students for their first 
campaign in the state. Mr. Taylor's time with the 
Committee was devoted to the work in small towns. 
He died May 26, 1893, being at that time Secre- 
tary of the Association in the City of Mexico. 

Mr. J. V. Read, now State Secretary of Georgia, 
rendered special assistance in the Financial Depart- 
ment from September 24, 1890 to March 31, 1895. 

43 




Chicago, West Side. 



Mr. Read possessed rare business qualities and 
materially strengthened the business standing of the 
State Committee. 

Mr. A. T. Stephens was Secretary of the Town 
Department from October 
24, 1891 to September i, 
1894. He is now a student 
in the Chicago Theological 
Seminary and is at the same 
time acting as pastor of a 
church. 

Mr. A. G. Copeland, now 
General Secretary at Kala- 
mazoo, Mich., after success- 
ful service as General Secretary at Aurora, 111 , was 
called to the Town Department of the State Com- 
mittee September i, 1895, occupying that position 
until November i, 1898. Mr. Copeland's ability as 
a Bible teacher and his strength as an organizer made 
him specially ef^cient in his work. 

Mr. Geo. B. Smith followed Mr. F. H. Burt as 
Student Secretary from September i, 1895 to Octo- 
ber 31, 1897. The student work developed strongly 
during this period and the work of Mr. Smith was 
so efficient and fruitful as to result in a call to the 
position of General Secretary at Madras, India. 

Mr. B. R. Barber followed Mr. Smith in the 
Student Department, conducting the work during 
the following College year. He was equally suc- 
cessful among the Student Associations and while 
occupying this position was called to the College 
Secretaryship at Calcutta, India. 

44 



Mr. E. C. Anderson was engaged with the Com- 
mittee as Assistant Office Secretary for one year. 
He is now a student at the North-Western Univer- 
sity at Evanston. 

Mr. E. T. Colton conducted the Student work 
with marked success during the college year 1899- 
1900 at the end of which he accepted a position as a 
Student Secretary of the International Committee. 

The secretarial force engaged in the State work 
of the Illinois Associations has always labored as 
men who were divinely called to this special work. 
This conviction has resulted in a holy enthusiasm 
leading to heroic endeavor. Not always conspicuous 
but ever active, their abilities never fully recognized, 
always courageous and forceful, they have shown a 
power to unify and inspire the entire Association 
movement in this state. The Association work in 
Illinois has been blessed with unity and progress. 
The State Secretaries, who are traveling sermons 
throughout the year in all parts of the state, have 
largely contributed to the general success of the 
entire movement. 



45 



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46 



BUILDINGS. 



T^HE progress made in the past twenty years in 
^ securing homes for the Associations of Illinois 
has been marked. In the year 1880 there were 
two Association buildings in the State. One of 
these was the building of the Chicago Association 
with its entrance at 148 Madison 
street. The total value of the 
property was given as $100,000. 
A large part of the building was 
rented for various purpo'^es. 
Through a book store, entrance 
was secured by a 12-foot passage 
way to a few rooms in the rear 
which were devoted to the Asso- 
ciation. These consisted of a 
general reading room in which the 
office was located, a parlor and a 
lecture hall in which the noon 
meetings and other religious 
Chicago Central. gatherings were held. In the base- 
ment were located a few poorly constructed bath 
rooms and the toilet rooms. A room, with entrance 
from Arcade court, was devoted to the Employment 
Bureau, while on the fourth floor a small room was 
fitted up for the gymnasium. On the second floor 
with separate entrance from Madison street was the 
large Farwell Hall capable of seating some 1,700 
people. 




47 




The second building, at Aurora, valued at 
$10,000, with an indebtedness of $2,950, practically 
had no facilities for Association work. The base- 
ment was occupied by a Chinese laundry, the gilded 
sign of a pawnbroker swung above the first floor 
entrance, while a photographer occupied the second 
floor. The rear room on the first floor was used by 
various philanthropic societies, and once a year was 
taken possession of by the 
Young Men's Christian Associ- 
ation for its annual election of 
officers. On May 10, 1880, the 
Association was reported by 
one of its former officers as 
" dead." 

The total value of real estate 
reported in 1880 was $122,500 
with an indebtedness of $2,950 
leaving a net property of $1 19,550. 

The last state report, 1899, shows the value of 
22 buildings to be $2,574,005, and other property is 
also reported, amounting to $143,000. Subtracting 
an indebtedness of $875,730, there is shown to be a 
net property value of $1,841,275. 

There is appended a table showing the value of 
buildings, real estate, etc., as reported to the State 
Executive Committee, in October, 1899. This table 
also indicates the date when each building was 
dedicated or occupied. There are also inserted 
small half-tones of every Association building in the 
State at the close of the twenty years. 



Rock Island. 



48 



It is impossible, however, either by table or 
by illustration to indicate the prayer, effort and self 
sacrifice which have gone into the building move- 
ment in this state. In connection with almost every 
building enterprise, incidents have occurred which 
might well find record here were there space to 
record them. 

The building fund at Jacksonville, where was 
erected the first building during the twenty years, 
was begun by subscrip- 
tions of ^500 each from a 
young lawyer and two young 
physicians. The foundation 
of the building fund of the 
Central Department in Chi- 
cago was laid through a 
bequest of ^50,000 from Mr. 
John Crerar. The West Side 
Department building was 
made possible through a single gift of one-third of 
the $50,000 necessary. The splendid canvass at 
Freeport in 1894, when $16,500 was raised in three 
weeks to save the building, is worthy of special note. 
At Galesburg, Jacksonville and Monmouth, the lot 
was the gift of a single individual, while at Rockford, 
a part of the present site was similarly donated. 

The building movement has but just begun. As 
the twenty years close, Elgin is in the midst of a 
building canvass; Decatur is agitating the matter of 
a new building; while generous offers have been 
made by three railroad companies for as many 
buildings for their employes. 




QUINCY. 



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51 



ACTUALITIES. 



pIELD. The Old Prairie State is not exceeded 
by any in the Union for magnificent resources, 
with its mighty fields of cereals waving for the 
harvest, vast bodies of coal and mineral wealth wait- 
ing to be converted from raw material into finished 
product and sent to every part of 
the world. We realize that in 
bringing about this transformation 
the greatest factor is man. Turn- 
ing to investigate, we see nearly 
one million young men within our 
borders and appreciate that the 
field is one calling for courage, 
faith and sacrifice. 

Need. With the saloon, gamb- 
ling house and brothel, triumvirate 
of the powers of darkness on every 
hand to rob us of our heritage, 
municipal depravity and misrule, 
with a mighty conflict raging between capital and 
labor, and the church pleading with outstretched 
hands for men to carry forward the work in home 
and foreign fields, we m.ust concede that at no time 
in the world's history has greater need existed than 
at present. 

Responsibility. Flocking by thousands into 
the cities, mingling with the discordant element in 
the industrial world, crowding into colleges arid 
professional schools, ready to be moulded into loyal 

52 




Chicago, 
Englewood. 



citizens or carping demagogues, the Association 
holds men for a day in its hands in their onward 
march to destiny. This responsibility must be met 
with promptness and fidelity. 

Organization. Twenty years of conservative, 
active effort in Illinois have developed an agency 
for the extension of an aggressive work among 
young men unsurpassed by any in the Association 
world. With a well organized State Executive Com- 
mittee, composed of prominent business men iden- 
tified with the work, well organized Sub-Committees 
actually engaged in working out the problems, and 
experienced secretaries in charge of Railroad and 
City, Student, County and Town, Business and 
Correspondence Departments, its utility and com- 
prehensiveness is unequalled, w^hile a successful 
record of twenty years stands behind it like a granite 
wall indicating solidity and strength. 

Office. Among the facilities for handling this 
vigorous work is a well equipped office, containing 
accurate records of statistics, meetings of Com- 
mittees and secretaries, state gatherings, conven- 
tions, policies, emergencies and detail work; the 
value of which can hardly be estimated in dealing 
with problems constantly arising for adjustment 
and solution. 

Associations. One hundred and fifteen Asso- 
ciations with a membership of 17,121 are touching 
young men in cities, towns, colleges and professional 
schools, railroad centers, mining districts, military 
camp and State Reformatory; and over 700 Corres- 
ponding Members are following by letter hundreds 

53 



of young men who are constantly moving from place 
to place. 

Secretaries. A body of loyal General Secre- 
taries are serving as executive officers of the Asso- 
ciations. Not only are these men efficient officers 
and leaders, but they stand as one man, representa- 
tives of the united work in closest bonds of Christian 
brotherhood. 

Constituency. The kind and 
friendly spirit in which the work 
is held is evidenced as follows: 
In 1880 there were enrolled on the 
books of the Committee 44 per- 
sonal subscriptions aggregating 
$1,500; while in 1899, 4,700 sub- 
scriptions aggregating $18,171.00 
were recorded. 

Recognition. The work of 
twenty years ago would scarcely 
be recognized in the growing 
organization of today. With the 
personnel of strong Christian business men has come 
recognition from individuals, railroads, state institu- 
tions, military authorities and corporations, that 
means wider influence and larger returns for the 
investment of money and effort. 

Property and Favor. The number and value 
of the buildings owned throughout the state gives 
the work stability and power, while the manifest 
favor of God is evidenced in thousands of lives 
transformed by the power of the Gospel, hundreds 

54 




Pana. 



more aroused to Christian activity and scores of 
others sent to carry the Gospel to the ends of the 
earth. Onward, upward and forward the forces are 
moving, and catching a glimpse of morning sunlight 
on the far away heights, sing with Longfellow : 

"Out of the shadow of night, 
The world rolls into light, 
'Tis daybreak everywhere." 



55 




OPPORTUNITIES. 

MOTWITHSTANDING al! that has been accom- 
^ plished in the last twenty years, the unorganized 
communities far outnumber those which todiy have 
the helpful influence of the Young Men's Christian 
Association. To many of these unorganized com- 
munities the doors are now wide open. With 
adequate support and an adequate 
force of secretaries, much of the 
unoccupied territory could be 
speedily taken for the Association 
cause. 

I. The Cities. Illinois con- 
tains 44 cities above 5.000 popu- 
lation. In these there were 
gathered at the time of the census 
of 1890, a population of 1,595,678, 
about one-fifth of whom were young men. 

Let us use our imagination if we can to get 
before us the picture of what it would mean if in 
these 44 cities there were not opened a single door 
of the Young Men's Christian Association; thousands 
upon thousands of saloon doors wide open, doors 
leading to every form of vice and debauchery, but 
not one door where one of the half million of young 
men might find a hand of Christian welcome, a place 
of refuge, influences buttressing faith and virtue. If 
such a condition could be brought vividly before the 
united Christian church it would indeed arouse an 
enthusiasm by the side of which the enthusiasm of 

56 



Mt. Carmel 
R. R. 



the First Crusade would pale. Peter the Hermit 
preached his Crusade to rescue an empty tomb from 
the hands of the Saracens, but this Crusade is for 
living men, made in the image of God, but degrading 
that image all too often to the level of the beasts. 

But something has been done in providing the 
open doors. In 1880 there were organizations — the 
most of them very limited in the scope of their work 
— in nine of the 44 cities. At present, organizations 
exist in 30 cities above 5,000 population. Not only 
have the nine been gradually strengthened in their 
work, but 21 new points have been opened. We 
must remember, however, that fourteen cities above 
5,000 population, nearly one-third the whole number 
in the state, are still without organized Christian 
work among young men. 

If we take a little lower limit, namely 3,000 
population, we shall find that 85 cities of that class 
are found within our Commonwealth. Organizations 
exist in 39. We immediately realize that the number 
of communities exceeding 3,000 population which 
still have no Christian Associations reaches 46, or 
more than half the whole number. 

Is the Young Men's Christian Association in our 
community of value ? Has it furnished a rallying 
point for Christian work ? Has it given an open 
door of refuge to tempted and tried young men ? 
Has it increased the love for the Word of God? 
Has it quickened the spiritual nature ? Then does 
there not sound out a call to those who have been 
thus favored that they should remember the less 

57 




Chicago, C, & N.-W. R. R. 



favored, and see that the agency of the united work 
is strengthened so that it may extend this net work 
of influence until it shall reach every city within the 
borders of Illinois. 

II. Railroad Communities. There are within 
the borders of Illinois 80,000 railroad men. Recently 
a great advance has been made in the establishment 

of Railroad Associa- 
tions, but as yet, not 
one-half of the stra- 
tegic points for 
reaching railroad 
men are touched by 
our Associations. 
With the strenghten- 
ing of our state work 
this Department 
might be greatly extended. It seems worthy the 
ambition of man to make the extension of this work 
possible through larger gifts. 

III. Town AND Country. There are in Illinois 
2,577 post offices. There are 85 cities and towns 
above 3,000 population. This leaves the number of 
communities with less than 3,000 population at 2,492; 
twenty-five hundred, in round numbers, in which 
the population is small, and often the moral and 
religious influences very weak. In 1890 more than 
half the population of the state was in such commu- 
nities. 

Total population, - - 3,826,351 

In cities above 3,000, - - 1,744,316 

In communities not exceeding 3,000, 2,082,035 

58 



Of the 102 counties in Illinois, 69 counties have 
no community exceeding 5,000 population and 40 
of these counties have no community exceeding 
3. 000. 

Those who have investigated the conditions of 
these smaller communities are made painfully aware 
by observation and by conversation with the pastors, 
of the utter lack of interest in anything relating to 
church work on the part of most young men. One 
writes concerning it, "There is nothing like actual 
contact with conditions to impress one with the 
need." 

IV. Institutions of Learning, As we turn 
to our colleges and institutions of higher learning, we 
are almost appalled by the tremendous possibilities 
which are ours in touching the very springs of 
influence for Jesus Christ. In one hundred institutions 
of Illinois, there were during the academic year of 
1897-8 more than 17,000 young men. The Young 
Men's Christian Association was organized in insti- 
tutions containing 11,700 of this number. But per- 
haps the most striking fact is this that more than 
6,000 of these young men were in schools where the 
only direct religious influence was that exerted by 
the Association. The most of the college work of 
the state has been brought into existence through 
the co-operation, and kept in good condition through 
the supervision, of the State Executive Committee. 
While we have reached institutions containing two- 
thirds of the young men, it still remains true that 
more than half of the institutions are yet without 
the Young Men's Christian Association. 

59 




If this Department of work were the only one 
conducted by the State Executive Committee, would 
it not be a privilege to have a part in it, and a large 
part, too; realizing the tremendous sweep of the 
influences which center in college life ? 

V. Miners' Work. Besides these well recog- 

nized fields of labor, there are 
oihers, not so prominent perhaps 
in thought, but needing most 
careful attention. In Illinois there 
are 35,000 miners, half as many as 
the number of railroad men. more 
than twice as many as the number 
of college boys But a glance at 
the actual conditions under which 
these miners work will give con- 
vincing argument of the need of 
special religious work among them. 
In one town where this work has been begun, a 
town of perhaps 900 population, eleven saloons were 
found doing their work vigorously and successfully. 
There was no resident pastor in the town, and there 
was no door constantly open for the young man 
except the saloon door. Now in the midst of this 
community a good strong Association work has been 
undertaken with a building rented and fitted for this 
work. But this work has been started in but one of 
the many mining communities of the state. 

VI. Corresponding Membership. As we have 
already said there are nearly 2,500 communities in 
Illinois, in none of which there are over 3,000 popu- 
lation. Some day it may be that Associations will 

60 



Galesbiirg. 



be organized very extensively in these smaller com- 
munities, but in the meantime tides of young men 
are setting out from these smaller places toward the 
great city centers. We cannot wait for organization. 
We must not allow these thousands upon thousands 
of young men to leave their country homes with no 
effort on our part to bring them into contact with 
warm and earnest Christian life. 

Fourteen years ago last Spring, the plan was 
inaugurated of securing a Corresponding Member in 
each unorganized field. This Corresponding Mem- 
bership gradually grew until in 1892 these represen- 
tatives of the Association were found in 326 com- 
munities. Since that time enlargement has continued 
until today over 700 of these agents of the Young 
Men's Christian Associations have been appointed 
in as many towns in Illinois. 

Now suppose this whole system were blotted 
out. It is already apparent that hundreds of young 
men who are now brought into touch with Christian 
influence at the very beginning of their life away 
from home would be left to drift into idle and hurt- 
ful companionships. 

It seems a blessed co-partnership into which 
some thousands of Illinois men and women have 
entered; a copartnership the object of which is to 
save the young manhood of this state; a co-partner- 
ship in which the Lord Himself has an interest. We 
are co-workers with Him, by prayer and effort, by 
gift and sacrifice. 

Some sweet day, someone to whom the Lord 
has given large means will count it a joy to make 

61 



this work a permanent feature of our activities, and 
to put it beyond the possibility of being crippled, 
but until that glad day, the work must be carried on 
by the subscriptions of many friends who want some 
small investment in this work of the King. 

We have now glanced at some of the things that 
have been done and some that remain to be done. 
There is needed for the proper prosecution of the 
work, ^17,000 a year. 



62 



MAINTENANCE. 




T^HE annual expense budget made necessary in 
^ the maintenance of the comprehensive work 
entrusted to the Committee has increased from 
;^2,300 in 1880 to ^17,100 in 1900. The money 
necessary to meet this budget comes to the Com- 
mittee's Treasury from two sources. 

I. The appropriations 
of local Associations to- 
ward the maintenance of 
the united work. Such 
appropriations, where 
made, are voluntary, but 
nearly all of the local 
Associations recognize the 
propriety of financial co- 
operation in the work 
which they have brought into being, and which 
exists largely in their interests. These appropria- 
tions range from ^5 to ^600, and the aggregate 
amount for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1900 
is ^1,769.50. 

2. The only other source of the Committee's 
income is found in the voluntary subscriptions of 
the friends of Christian manhood in Illinois. These 
subscriptions range from $1 to ^500 each, there being 
many oi the former, and but one of the last men- 
tioned amount. Without question the financial 
strength of the Illinois work is found in the large 
number of people in all parts of the state, who have 

63 



Chicago, Grand Trunk, 
R. R. 



many of them during an uninterrupted series of years 
helped through their financial support to make 
possible the growth and attainment of these years. 
Other states and other agencies of Christian effort 
have larger subscriptions and more large subscrip- 
tions. No State Committee of Young Men's Chris- 
tian Associations and few other forms of Christian 
work in Illinois have a larger number of interested 
and helping friends than the " Illinois State Work." 
Notwithstanding this, the securing of adequate 
financial support requires far too large a proportion 
of the time and strength of the secretarial force, and 
is made possible only by continued prayer and 
effort. The need of increased support in caring for 
the annual current expenses of the Committee is 
immediate and pressing. 



64 



ENDOWMENT. 

THAT close supervision of State Work is neces- 
sary is no longer an open question. It is not 
merely essential from a theoretical point of view, 
but years of practical experience have demonstrated 
that it is of vital importance. The proper financial 
support of supervision has always been a serious 
problem, and has taken much of the time and energy 
of the State Committee, and of the Secretaries. 

Under the present 
methods the work 
secures a bare 
h a n d - to - mouth 
existence, which 
handicaps it in 
every direction, 
and induces 
timidity and uncer- 
tainty where there ought to be aggressiveness and 
confidence. 

The present publication indicates the great 
interests involved in the State Work. Probably no 
other single enterprise means so much to the State 
in Christian manhood. And yet the work is not in 
proportion to the greatness of the state. The present 
state force is working up to its limit, and the 
unoccupied territory must be a region of hope, rather 
than cultivation. The reasons why money for super- 
vision is difficult to obtain are evident. Supervision 
is a general, impersonal thing, which lacks the appeal 

65 




EVANSTON. 



to local pride and to the desire to do good at home, 
which is so effective in most good enterprises. It is 
work which is pervasive rather than evident, working 
through men rather than before men. It takes 
intelligence to see that money for supervision works 
in every locality; and it takes unselfishness to give 
money which works behind the scenes rather than 
upon the stage. 

It seems certain that the work oi supervision 
cannot be maintained and 
developed properly with- 
out an endowment which 
will secure a reasonable 
income. What an endow- 
ment will do for super- 
vision may be summarized 
as follows : 

I. It Will Liberate 
Energy for Legitimate Work. What has im- 
presed me more than anything else in connection 
with the State Work is our waste of energy. We 
engage efificient secretaries to supervise, and then 
compel them to divert their energies from the work 
of supervision to the raising of money for their own 
support. I venture to say that although the amount 
of time given to money raising may not be equal to 
that given to the real work, the amount of nerve 
tissue used up is greater. The work of supervision 
is a joy, but the raising of the budget is an unmiti- 
gated evil. I am not asking that men shall be 
relieved from work, but that they may be free to 
work less for means and more for results. 




Decatur R. R. 



66 



LofC 



2. It Helps in Securing and Retaining 
Strong Men as Secretaries. It is necessary to 
develop men through years of service in order to 
secure the greatest efficiency. Illinois has been 
wonderfully fortunate in securing and retaining 
strong men, but it has not been because of their love 
for their annual budget experience. To abandon 
other plans, and to enter 
upon secretarial work for 
life, is a decision w^hich 
demands something defi- 
nite as to the luture, and 
it is no wonder that strong 
men are induced against 
their real desires to refuse 
or abandon such a life 
work. 




University of Illinois. 



3. It Will Permit Plans Which Look to 
the Future. At present the only plan possible is 
one which looks to holding on to the work for one 
year. In a business sense the years which follow are 
blanks. The State Committee needs to be free to 
plan a campaign which looks far enough ahead to 
include the complete occupation of the State of 
Illinois with aggressive work. No one is interested 
in planning, no one can plan a campaign whose 
future is indefinite. It is the certainty of the future 
which makes possible work of dignity and force, of 
increasing comprehensiveness and attainments. 

The time has certainly come when those who 
seek largest returns from their gifts in the name of 



67 



the Master should join in providing an endowment 
for the work of supervision. 



ENDOWMENT 


NEEDED. 




General Administration, 


- 


§200,000 


Railroad and City. 


- 


100,000 


Student, - 


- 


40,000 


County and Town, 


- 


40,000 


Correspondence, 




20,000 


Total, 


§400,000 



68 



FORM OF BEQUEST FOR STATE WORK. 



I give, devise and bequeath to the "State Execu- 
tive Committee, Illinois Young Men's Christian 
Associations," the sum of Dollars. 



Signed by the said 

as and for his last will and testament, in the pre- 
sence of us, who, at his request, in his presence, and 
in the presence of each other, have hereunto sub- 
scribed our names as witnesses. 



(To be signed by not less than two witnesses) 



69 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

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